Belgravia Leisure has introduced allied health services at three of its Canberra recreation centres, so people can book physiotherapy, exercise physiology and dietetics around their workouts. A physiotherapist is available at Stromlo, and an exercise physiologist and dietitian are based at Gungahlin. Sessions are open to the whole community, not only members. Patients managing chronic conditions can access discounted rates through a GP care plan, and eligible people can use Medicare, DVA, NDIS, HICAPS or workers' compensation. Belgravia says all its allied health staff are accredited.
Construction of the Cobblebank Community Hub has been completed, and the five-level building is on track to host tenant organisations from early 2027. The Hub will bring allied health and social support services together in one location. Landscaping, car park works and signage are now being finished, followed by office fit-outs by tenants. The project costs around $72.6 million, with the City of Melton contributing about $53 million, $15 million from the Australian Government's Thriving Suburbs Program and $4.6 million from the Victorian Government's Growing Suburbs Fund.
A five-bedroom character home at 150 Bellerine St, Geelong, has sold for $1.1m in negotiations after being passed in at auction. The house has been used as a family residence for the past decade. Agent James Wilson said the auction opened on a $1.05m genuine bid before the bidder raised it to $1.085m. Much of the buyer interest centred on allied health use, he said, because the area has become increasingly hospital and allied health focused. The property has been sold to someone in the allied health sector.
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The Erindale Leisure Centre in the ACT will receive $1.1 million for upgrades and to become an allied health hub. The funding will modernise the gym, improve accessibility, and accommodate health professionals. Future planning includes upgrades to change rooms and structural infrastructure. The investment is part of a commitment to the Tuggeranong community, with additional funding for minor upgrades already allocated.
Lismore speech pathologist Charmaine Powell has been named Northern NSW's Allied Health Professional of the Year. She was recognised for her compassionate, person-centred care of young children and families, and for mentoring colleagues. The Northern NSW Local Health District awards were held at Southern Cross University in Lismore on Wednesday, 14 October, and drew 66 nominations. More than 850 allied health professionals work across the district, and winners will be eligible for nomination at the NSW Health awards in Sydney in June 2027.
Senator David Pocock has called on the government to scrap GST on exercise physiology, the only Medicare allied health service subject to the tax. He will table a petition with more than 25,000 signatures on Tuesday. Exercise physiologists treat conditions including heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis, as well as recovery from injuries. Exercise and Sports Science Australia says disadvantaged communities would receive most of the benefit from removing the tax. Its modelling, conducted with Deloitte, estimates savings of up to $940 million over three years.
